AMBULATORY CARE NURSE JOB DESCRIPTION

Ambulatory care nursing is patient-centered care delivered without an overnight stay. The Ambulatory Care Nurse owns the full assessment-to-discharge care cycle for patients seen across outpatient and specialty clinic settings, including populations with complex chronic conditions requiring individualized care plans aligned to state licensure standards and established nursing practice models. Working within interdisciplinary teams that include physicians, nurse practitioners, and allied health staff, the role demands clinical judgment that holds up under pressure. Patient safety outcomes depend on how well this nurse reads and acts on early deterioration signals.

As the Ambulatory Care Nurse, you assess patient status, formulate individualized care plans, and coordinate with providers and families to deliver safe, evidence-based care across ambulatory and specialty clinical environments. You function within a multidisciplinary team reporting through nursing leadership, with scope spanning direct patient care, quality improvement participation, and patient and family education.

Career Impact: Ambulatory care experience across specialty populations - including spasticity clinics and pediatric settings - builds the clinical breadth that accelerates advancement to lead nurse or care coordinator roles.

Business Impact: When an Ambulatory Care Nurse synthesizes assessment data accurately and escalates deterioration early, patients avoid preventable acute admissions and care teams make better-informed decisions in real time.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to quality improvement programs, evidence-based practice initiatives, and interdisciplinary rounds deepens the competencies required for BCLS recertification, specialty certification, and senior clinical roles.

• Assess patient status systematically using appropriate clinical techniques to identify diagnoses and expected outcomes.
• Formulate individualized care plans in collaboration with physicians and nurse practitioners to guide treatment and intervention.
• Recognize clinical changes indicating patient deterioration and activate the appropriate response protocol.
• Educate patients and families on disease management to support healthy adjustment to new or changed health patterns.
• Document all nursing interventions, care provided, and patient outcomes in accordance with hospital standards and procedures.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members during rounds and care conferences to align nursing goals with broader care objectives.
• Participate in center-based quality and performance improvement programs to advance patient safety and care standards.
• Monitor and address ethical dilemmas or safety concerns, escalating to unit leadership and seeking resources to resolve them.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent nursing degree, or equivalent work experience.
• One or more years of ambulatory, specialty, or acute care nursing experience, with demonstrated competence in nursing process execution.
• Current registered nurse license in the state of practice, with Basic Cardiac Life Support certification required.
• Knowledge of evidence-based nursing practice including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability to interpret clinical data, recognize deterioration patterns, and implement appropriate referral or escalation procedures.
• Competence in patient and family education across diverse cultural, age-specific, and developmental populations.
• Physical stamina, manual dexterity, and visual and aural acuity sufficient to perform all clinical responsibilities.
• Fluent written and spoken English communication skills required for documentation and interdisciplinary coordination.

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification or specialty nursing certification relevant to the clinical area.
• Prior experience in pediatric, spasticity, home health, or critical care nursing environments.
• Active membership in a professional nursing organization, with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Spoken proficiency in a second language relevant to the patient population served.

• Patient deterioration recognition rate, measured by timely CAT team activations relative to adverse outcomes.
• Care plan completion rate per shift, tracking documentation against hospital standards and procedures.
• Patient and family education completion rate, reflecting delivery across assigned caseload each shift.
• Quality improvement participation, measured by number of safety events reported including near-miss submissions.
• Outcome attainment rate, tracking how frequently patients meet expected outcomes defined at care plan initiation.
• Typical tools: Electronic health record systems (commonly Epic or Cerner); point-of-care devices including IV pumps and cardiac monitors.

• Base Salary Range: $68,000 to $95,000 annually, varying by state, setting, and experience level.
• Bonus: Annual performance-based bonus of 2 to 5 percent, where offered by employer.
• Equity: Not typically offered in healthcare nursing roles.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most hospital and health system employers.
• PTO: 15 to 25 days annually, inclusive of vacation and sick leave.
• Common Perks: Shift differentials, tuition reimbursement, continuing education support, and certification fee coverage.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background screening, including criminal history review and drug testing where required by state law, is a condition of employment for all clinical positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Ambulatory Care Nurse delivers safe, compassionate, and culturally effective care by following the nursing process and coordinating all facets of patient and family care within the CHOP Nursing Professional Practice Model. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams and unit leadership, the Ambulatory Care Nurse shapes patient outcomes by synthesizing assessment data, addressing ethical dilemmas, and advancing an evidence-based, safety-focused practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Follow the nursing process to deliver safe, compassionate, and culturally effective care.
• Gather and synthesize assessment data to determine the patient and family plan of care and tasks to be delegated.
• Recognize clinical changes indicative of patient deterioration and utilize the CAT team when appropriate.
• Collaborate with the patient, family, and multidisciplinary team to coordinate all facets of patient care.
• Recognize and address situations presenting ethical dilemmas and seek resources to resolve them.
• Demonstrate competence in teaching patients and families and progress to expert educator.
• Evaluate and document care provided on each assigned shift using hospital standards and procedures.
• Implement safety behaviors for error prevention and communicate potential concerns to unit leadership.
• Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to engage empathically with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary patient care rounds and make recommendations reflecting nursing goals and expected outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent nursing degree required.
• Active registered nurse license required, with membership in a professional nursing organization preferred.
• Prior experience in pediatrics or area of specialty required.
• Knowledge of nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability to use patient-facing technology such as IV pumps, point-of-care devices, and cardiac monitors.
• Basic use of Microsoft Office including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Navigate and use electronic health record systems and clinical decision support tools.
• Strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills with ability to encourage patient and family self-advocacy.

Embedded within an interdisciplinary ambulatory care team, the Ambulatory Care Nurse formulates and implements comprehensive patient-centered care plans in accordance with NYUHC Patient Care and Nursing Standards, including specialized support for a Spasticity PM and R clinic. Working closely with physicians, nurse practitioners, and multidisciplinary colleagues, the Ambulatory Care Nurse advances evidence-based practice and quality improvement to promote safe, effective patient outcomes.

Core Functions

• Provide competent, safe, and compassionate care based on established NYUHC Patient Care and Nursing Standards.
• Formulate the initial plan of care with the provider and collaborate to implement a comprehensive patient-centered care plan.
• Collect patient healthcare data systematically using appropriate assessment techniques and instruments.
• Analyze assessment data to determine diagnoses and identify expected outcomes.
• Educate the patient and family to facilitate and promote healthy adjustment to new or changed health patterns.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and promote collegial relationships.
• Participate in center-based quality and performance improvement programs.
• Support Spasticity PM and R clinic including toxin reconstitution and Baclofen pump refills and adjustments.
• Maintain awareness of current evidence-based practices and apply research data to patient care.
• Engage in self-assessment and activities to promote own professional growth and development.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing required.
• Current registered professional nurse license in New York and Basic Cardiac Life Support certification required.
• Experience in ambulatory or specialty nursing practice required.
• Knowledge of evidence-based nursing practices applicable to patient care and quality improvement.
• Ability to collect clinical data using quality improvement tools.
• Fluent written and spoken English required, with spoken mastery of a second language preferred.
• Physical stamina, manual dexterity, and visual and aural acuity required to perform responsibilities.

Reporting to the critical care leadership team, the Ambulatory Care Nurse provides specialized nursing care to patients with life-threatening conditions, performing careful assessments, implementing individualized care plans, and operating life support systems within an acute cardiac ICU setting. Partnering with the critical care team, the Ambulatory Care Nurse ensures patient safety, comfort, and effective advocacy for diverse populations with complex clinical needs.

Primary Duties

• Perform careful assessments of critical conditions and plan and implement individualized patient care plans.
• Provide intensive therapy, intervention, and operation of life support systems.
• Document direct and indirect patient care services accurately to ensure patient safety and comfort.
• Provide care and patient education on disease prevention and restorative measures.
• Implement appropriate reporting, referrals, and care in accordance with standardized procedures.
• Initiate emergency procedures when indicated.
• Identify patient readiness for learning and ability to follow directions and give consent.
• Demonstrate knowledge of specific population needs including cultural, spiritual, age, psychosocial, and communication considerations.
• Identify and assess patient safety concerns with respect to age and developmental considerations.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited program required.
• California State RN license and American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification required, specialty certification required for CNIII or above.
• Minimum one year of recent acute RN experience required.
• Working knowledge of applicable standards of practice and critical care nursing.
• Ability to operate life support systems and patient-facing critical care technology.
• Strong commitment to customer service and ability to meet the needs of patients and healthcare colleagues.

Sitting at the intersection of ambulatory care and home health nursing, the Ambulatory Care Nurse formulates patient-centered care plans, analyzes assessment data to determine diagnoses, and participates in clinical inquiry to foster evidence-based practice in accordance with NYUHC standards. Operating across quality improvement programs, interdisciplinary teams, and community-based care settings in West Palm Beach, FL, the Ambulatory Care Nurse enables improved patient and family health outcomes through education, collaboration, and continuity of care.

Duties

• Provide competent, safe, and compassionate care based on established NYUHC Patient Care and Nursing Standards.
• Formulate the initial plan of care with the provider and collaborate to implement a comprehensive patient-centered care plan.
• Analyze assessment data to determine diagnoses and identify expected and adverse outcomes.
• Develop a plan of care that prescribes interventions to attain expected outcomes.
• Implement interventions identified in the plan of care and evaluate patient progress toward outcomes.
• Educate patients and families to facilitate healthy adjustment to new or changed health patterns.
• Participate in quality improvement programs and activities that promote patient, family, physician, and staff satisfaction.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and serve as a support and resource for nursing staff and students.
• Participate in clinical inquiry and activities to foster evidence-based practice.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing highly preferred, Diploma or Associate Degree requires minimum one year experience and plans to earn a baccalaureate degree.
• Current registered professional nurse license in Florida and Basic Cardiac Life Support certification required, valid state nursing license or compact multi-state accepted.
• Minimum 12 months of professional home health experience required, emergency room or critical care nursing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of NYUMC Service Standards and evidence-based ambulatory nursing practice.
• Valid driver's license, clean DMV record, and minimum car insurance required.
• Fluent written and spoken English required.
• Physical stamina, manual dexterity, and visual and aural acuity required to perform responsibilities.
• Membership in a pertinent professional nursing organization preferred.